Independent Institute Senior Vice President Mary L. G. Theroux testified on "Childhood Poverty, Government Failures, and the Need for Economic Liberty", before the California State Senate's Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services, at the request of State Senator Jeff Stone. The witnesses spoke about California's Maximum Family Grant rule for families on welfare. The rule caps grants and does not increase grant money to mothers on welfare when they have more children. Mary testified about the causes of poverty and of the need for other, non-government options for poor families. She introduced ideas for helping the poor through private resources and organizations, instead of government agencies where families and women often find themselves trapped in a cycle of poverty.

Civil Liberties in an Age of Terrorism: A special evening with our "Challenge of Liberty Summer Seminars" students and featured by C-SPAN's Book TV. Watch this eye-opening, timely discussion on the recent revelations of systematic government spyingincluding NSA accessing of phone records, USPS photocopying the exterior of all mail, and the dangers posed to liberty and security by these and other such unchecked and unconstitutional powers.

Full Video of The Independent Institutes 2011 25th Anniversary Gala for Liberty held November 15, 2011.Part 1: Introductory Remarks and Tribute to Robert HiggsPart 2: Tribute to Mario Vargas LlosaPart 3: History of The Independent Institute and Fund for the FuturePart 4: Tribute to Lech WalesaPart 5: Special Tributes, Sponsors, and Credits